Method and digital signage player for managing distributed digital signage content

ABSTRACT

A method and digital signage player for managing display of a distributed digital signage content. The digital signage player stores the distributed digital signage content, and a local placement target for the distributed digital signage content. The digital signage player displays the distributed digital signage content in accordance with the local placement target. The digital signage player exchanges messages with a neighbor digital signage player, for increasing the local placement target of the distributed digital signage content at the request of the neighbor digital signage player. The neighbor digital signage player also displays the distributed digital signage content in accordance with its own placement target, which needs to be decreased. The digital signage player ultimately increases the local placement target of the distributed digital signage content based on the messages exchanged with the neighbor digital signage player.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of digital signage. Morespecifically, the present disclosure presents a method and a digitalsignage player for managing distributed digital signage content.

BACKGROUND

Signage refers to graphic designs, such as symbols, emblems, words, etc.In advertising, signage refers to the design or use of signs and symbolsto communicate a message to a specific group, usually for the purpose ofmarketing. Digital signage is a sub segment of signage and comprises theuse of digital signage display units also referred to as digital signageplayers, such as liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), light-emitting diode(LED) displays, projector screens, etc. Digital signage is a field ingreat expansion especially for advertising in a public venue (e.g. anairport, a shopping mall, etc.), because of the potential to advertisedynamically, such as is done with an advertising video.

Several digital signage players may be displaying the same digitalsignage content, referred to as a distributed digital signage contentsince it is distributed over the plurality of digital signage players.Each particular digital signage player has its own local placementtarget, determining how often the distributed digital signage content isplayed on a display of the particular digital signage player.

However, in some circumstances such as a failure of a specific one ofthe digital signage players or digital signage content which takesprecedence, the local placement target cannot be achieved by thespecific digital signage player. By managing the distributed digitalsignage content in a dynamic manner over the plurality of digitalsignage players, the local placement targets can be adapted to variouscircumstances affecting one or more of the digital signage players.

Therefore, there is a need for a new method and digital signage playerfor managing distributed digital signage content.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a methodfor managing distributed digital signage content. The method comprisesstoring in a memory of a digital signage player: a distributed digitalsignage content, a distributed digital signage content identifier foridentifying the distributed digital signal content, and a localplacement target for the distributed digital signage content. The methodcomprises displaying, by a processing unit of the digital signageplayer, the distributed digital signage content on a display of thedigital signage player in accordance with the local placement target.The method comprises exchanging, via a communication interface of thedigital signage player, synchronization data related to the distributeddigital signage content with at least one of a digital signage serverand neighbor digital signage player. The synchronization data comprisethe distributed digital signage content identifier. The method comprisesincreasing or decreasing, by the processing unit, the local placementtarget based on the synchronization data exchanged.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides anon-transitory computer program product comprising instructionsdeliverable via an electronically-readable media, such as storage mediaand communication links. The instruction, when executed by a processingunit of a digital signage player, provide for managing distributeddigital signage content according to the aforementioned method.

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a digitalsignage player adapted for managing distributed digital signage content.The digital signage player comprises memory for storing: a distributeddigital signage content, a distributed digital signage contentidentifier for identifying the distributed digital signal content, and alocal placement target for the distributed digital signage content. Thedigital signage player comprises a communication interface forexchanging synchronization data related to the distributed digitalsignage content with at least one of a digital signage server andneighbor digital signage player. The synchronization data comprise thedistributed digital signage content identifier. The digital signageplayer comprises a display for displaying the distributed digitalsignage content. The digital signage player comprises a processing unitfor displaying the distributed digital signage content on the display inaccordance with the local placement target. The processing unit furtherprovides for increasing or decreasing the local placement target basedon the synchronization data exchanged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a digital signage server interacting with a pluralityof digital signage players;

FIG. 2 represents details of one of the digital signage players of FIG.1 ,

FIG. 3 represents an exemplary digital signage content displayed by oneof the digital signage players of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 represents the digital signage players of FIG. 2 interacting witheach other and/or with the digital signage server for managing adistributed digital signage content;

FIG. 5 represents a method implemented by each one of the digitalsignage players of FIG. 4 for managing a distributed digital signagecontent;

FIG. 6 represents an example of interactions between the digital signageplayers of FIG. 4 and the digital signage server for managing adistributed digital signage content;

FIG. 7 represents another example of interactions between the digitalsignage players of FIG. 4 and the digital signage server for managing adistributed digital signage content; and

FIG. 8 represents still another example of interactions between thedigital signage players of FIG. 4 for managing a distributed digitalsignage content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing and other features will become more apparent upon readingof the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodimentsthereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally address one or moreof the problems related to the distribution of digital signage contentdisplayed on the plurality of digital signage players.

Referring now concurrently to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 , a digital signageserver 100 and a plurality of digital signage players 200 arerepresented.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2 , details of one of the digitalsignage players 200 are illustrated.

The digital signage player 200 comprises a processing unit 210. Theprocessing unit 210 comprises one or more processors (not represented inFIG. 2 ) capable of executing instructions of computer program(s) forperforming the functionalities of the digital signage player 200(receiving data, processing the received data, generating data,transmitting the generated data, etc.). Each processor may further haveone or several cores.

The digital signage player 200 comprises memory 220. The memory 220stores instructions of the computer program(s) executed by theprocessing unit 210, data generated by the execution of the computerprogram(s), data received from a communication interface 230, etc. Thedigital signage player 200 may comprise several types of memories,including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

The digital signage player 200 comprises the communication interface230. The communication interface 230 allows the digital signage player200 to exchange data with the digital signage server 100, and with othercomputing devices such as neighbor digital signage players 200 (asillustrated in FIG. 4 ). The communication interface 230 supports one orseveral of the following communication technologies: fixed broadband,Ethernet, cellular, Wi-Fi, mesh, Bluetooth, a combination thereof, etc.For example, the digital signage player 200 communicates with thedigital signage server 100 via a cellular network or a fixed broadbandnetwork, and communicates with neighbor digital signage players 200 (asillustrated in FIG. 4 ) via a Wi-Fi network.

The digital signage player 200 comprises a display 260. A single display260 is represented in FIG. 2 . However the digital signage player 200may comprise several displays 260. The display(s) 260 consists of,without limitations, a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a light-emittingdiode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, aprojector screen, a combination thereof, etc. At least some of thedisplays 260 may have a large screen, to be visible by a large crowd.The digital signage player 200 is usually located in a public venue(e.g. an airport, a shopping mall, etc.), so that a large number ofpersons located close to the digital signage player 200 can see acontent displayed on its display 260.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display 260 of one of the digital signage players200 of FIG. 2 displaying a plurality of digital signage contents 270.For example, a first digital signage content 271 comprises a largervideo image, a second digital signage content 272 comprises a series ofstatic images (such as a local weather report or a Quick Response (QR)code), and a third digital signage content 273 comprises a banner ofdifferent series of static images. For any digital signage player 200,at any point in time, the plurality of digital signage contents 270displayed by its display 260 may include advertising in the form ofstill or video images, or other contents of interest. The arrangement ofthe plurality of digital signage contents 270 represented in FIG. 3varies. For instance, different numbers of digital signage contents 270are displayed in different orientations. Moreover, the number of digitalsignage contents 270 and their respective orientations variestemporally.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 , details of the digitalsignage server 100 are illustrated.

For the purpose of clarity, only a single digital signage server 100 isrepresented in FIG. 1 , but the digital signage server 100 may consistof a cluster of generic purpose computers or a cluster of highperformance specialized computers.

The digital signage server 100 comprises a processing unit 110. Theprocessing unit 110 comprises one or more processors (not represented inFIG. 1 ) capable of executing instructions of computer program(s)) forperforming the functionalities of the digital signage server 100(receiving data, processing the received data, generating data,transmitting the generated data, etc.). Each processor may further haveone or several cores.

The digital signage server 100 comprises memory 120. The memory 120stores instructions of the computer program(s) executed by theprocessing unit 110, data generated by the execution of the computerprogram(s), data received from a communication interface 130, etc. Thedigital signage server 100 may comprise several types of memories,including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

The digital signage server 100 comprises the communication interface130. The communication interface 130 allows the digital signage server100 to exchange data with the digital signage players 200, and withother computing devices if needed. The communication interface 130supports at least one of the following communication technologies: fixedbroadband, Ethernet, cellular, Wi-Fi, mesh, Bluetooth, a combinationthereof, etc. For example, as mentioned previously, the digital signageserver 100 communicates with the digital signage players 200 via acellular network or a fixed broadband network.

The digital signage server 100 may also comprise a user interface 150(e.g. a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, etc.), and a display 160 (e.g.a standard screen, a touchscreen, etc.).

Referring now concurrently to FIGS. 4 and 5 , a method 300 for managingdistributed digital signage content is illustrated in FIG. 4 . Themethod 300 is implemented by each one of the digital signage players 200and digital signage server 100 involved in the distributed placement ofa distributed digital signage content.

A specific computer program has instructions for implementing the stepsof the method 300. The instructions are comprised in a non-transitorycomputer program product (e.g. the memory 220). The instructions providefor managing distributed digital signage content, when executed by theprocessing unit 210 of one of the digital signage players 200. Theinstructions are deliverable via an electronically-readable media, suchas a storage media (e.g. a USB key), or via communication links (e.g. aWi-Fi or cellular network) through the communication interface 230 ofthe digital signage player 200.

The method 300 comprises the step 305 of storing in the memory 220 adistributed digital signage content, and a distributed digital signagecontent identifier for identifying the distributed digital signalcontent.

The processing unit 210 receives the distributed digital signage contentand the corresponding distributed digital signage content identifier viathe communication interface 230 from the digital signage server 100. Theprocessing unit 210 further stores the received distributed digitalsignage content and distributed digital signage content identifier inthe memory 220.

The distributed digital signage content is a digital content (e.g.video, picture, etc.) which is to be displayed on the display 260. Thecorresponding distributed digital signage content identifier is anidentifier used for identifying and differentiating the digital contentfrom other digital contents.

The distributed digital signage content refers to a particular digitalsignage content, which is displayed over a plurality of digital signageplayers 200 in an optimized manner. More specifically, the method 300optimizes the placing of the distributed digital signage contentdynamically and in real time over the plurality of digital signageplayers 200, to provide an optimal exposition to the distributed digitalmedia content for end users in a viewing range of the plurality ofdigital signage players 200, and to ensure that exposition commitmentsto digital signage content clients are met.

By opposition, prior art local digital signage content is managedlocally by a digital signage player 200, without dynamic and real timesynchronization with at least one of the digital signage server 100 andother digital signage players 200.

Using the present invention, a particular digital signage player 200 iscapable of simultaneously managing local digital signage content(s) (ina manner well known in the art of digital signage) and distributeddigital signage content(s) (by applying the method 300). For example, inFIG. 3 , the content 271 is a distributed digital signage content, whilethe contents 272 and 273 are local digital signage contents.

For illustration purposes, FIG. 4 represents the digital signage server100 and/or three digital signage players 200 cooperating for optimizingthe placement of the distributed digital signage content 271. However,any number (at least two) of digital signage players 200 may cooperatefor optimizing the placement of the distributed digital signage content271, each one of the digital signage players 200 executing the method300.

The digital signage server 100 manages the digital signage contents tobe displayed by the digital signage players 200 under its control.Although only three digital signage players 200 are controlled by thedigital signage server 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2 , any number of digitalsignage players 200 may be controlled by the digital signage server 100.

The digital signage server 100 determines if a particular digitalsignage content shall be distributed over a plurality of players 200 ormanaged locally by a single player 200. This information is transmitted(along with the particular digital signage content) by the digitalsignage server 100 and stored in the memory 220 of the player(s) 200responsible for displaying the particular digital signage content.

The digital signage server 100 generates the identifier of theparticular digital signage content. The identifier is used for uniquelyidentifying the particular digital signage content among all the digitalsignage contents currently managed by the digital signage server 100,for display on the plurality of digital signage players 200 under itscontrol. The identifier may include an indication that the particulardigital signage content is distributed or locally managed.

The method 300 comprises the step 310 of storing in the memory 220 alocal placement target for the distributed digital signage content 271.The local placement target is used to determine how often thedistributed digital signage content 271 is displayed on the display 260.For instance, the local placement target is: a frequency of display ofthe distributed digital signage content 271, a number of iterations thedistributed digital signage content 271 is to be displayed over apredetermined time, or any other type of local placement target. Thefrequency of display may be an hourly frequency, a daily frequency, afrequency defined for a specific period of time, etc.

The processing unit 210 receives an initial value of the local placementtarget via the communication interface 230 from the digital signageserver 100. The processing unit 210 further stores the initial value ofthe local placement target in the memory 220. The initial value of thelocal placement target for the distributed digital signage content 271is determined by the digital signage server 100, taking intoconsideration placement targets for other digital signage contents to bedisplayed, economic criteria, etc. Alternatively, or concurrently, theinitial value of the local placement target is negotiated with otherdigital signage players 200 also displaying the distributed digitalsignage content 271, as will be illustrated later in the description.

The method 300 may optionally comprise the step 315 of storing in thememory 220 an identification of at least one neighbor digital signageplayer 200.

The digital signage player 200 interact with the digital signage server100 for the optimized placement of the distributed digital signagecontent 271. The digital signage player 200 is further adapted fordirectly communicating with the neighbor digital signage players 200 forthe optimized placement of the distributed digital signage content 271.In FIG. 4 , the currently described digital signage player 200 is on theleft side of the figure, while the two neighbor digital signage players200 are on the right side of the figure. As can be seen on FIG. 4 , thecurrently described digital signage player 200 directly communicateswith the digital signage server 100 and with the neighbor digitalsignage players 200 depicted on the upper right hand-side of the Figure.Although the present description is focused on the digital signageplayer 200, those skilled in the art will understand that the presentdescription applies to any digital signage player 200, either thecurrently described digital signage player or the neighbor digitalsignage players 200.

The identification of the neighbor digital signage player 200 generallyconsists of a logical identifier, which is mapped to a networkingidentifier (e.g. an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a Domain Name Server(DNS) name, etc.). The networking identifier allows an exchange of datavia the communication interface 230 with the corresponding neighbordigital signage player 200. The logical identifier provides a level ofabstraction with respect to the communication infrastructure (e.g. an IPbased Wi-Fi network) used for exchanging data between the digitalsignage players 200, and with the digital signage server 100. Thelogical identifier is unique among the digital signage players 200,either being under the control of the digital signage server 100 orunder the control of another digital signage server (not shown) in anetwork of digital signage players 200.

A list of digital signage player(s) 200 is defined for each particulardistributed digital signage content (e.g. 271), allowing the distributedplacement of digital signage contents over different digital signageplayers 200. Each list consists of the one or more logical identifier(s)of the one or more digital signage player(s) 200 associated with theparticular distributed digital signage content (e.g. 271).

Each list is generated by the digital signal server 100 and stored inthe memory of the digital signage server 100. Each list is furthertransmitted to the corresponding digital signage players 200 for storagein their memory 220. An updated list may be generated by the digitalsignal server 100 and transmitted to the corresponding digital signageplayers 200, if the conditions defining the distributed placement of therelated distributed digital signage content (e.g. 271) evolve.

For example, a particular distributed digital signage content isdistributed between three digital signage players 200 identified bytheir respective logical identifiers A, B and C. The digital signageserver 100 respectively generates and transmits list (B,C) to digitalsignage player A, list (A,C) to digital signage player B, and list (A,B)to digital signage player C.

Alternatively, a single list of one or more neighbor digital signageplayer(s) 200 is defined for all the distributed digital signage content(e.g. 271) displayed on the display 260, so that the distributedplacement of all the distributed digital signage contents is performedover the same set of digital signage players 200. As mentionedpreviously, the single list is generated at the digital signal server100 and transmitted to the digital signage players 200. Alternatively,or concurrently, the single list may also be configured directly at thedigital signage players 200.

The method 300 comprises the step 320 of displaying by the processingunit 210 the distributed digital signage content 271 on the display 260in accordance with the local placement target stored in the memory 220.

As mentioned previously, a plurality of digital signage contents isdisplayed sequentially on the display 260, each particular digitalsignage content having its own constraints in terms of placement. Theprocessing unit 210 takes into consideration the constraints related tothe plurality of digital signage contents to determine an appropriatesequence for displaying the plurality of digital signage contents on thedisplay 260. In particular, with respect to the distributed digitalsignage content 271, the processing unit 210 takes into considerationits local placement target and the constraints related to the otherdigital signage contents to be displayed, to determine when thedistributed digital signage content 271 is displayed on the display 260.For example, if the local placement target of the distributed digitalsignage content 271 is three times per hour, a variety of sequences ofplacement could be determined, such as: every twenty minutes; at 10, 30and 45 minutes within each hour; etc.

The method 300 comprises the step 325 of exchanging via thecommunication interface 230 synchronization data related to thedistributed digital signage content 271 with the digital signage server100. Alternatively, and or concurrently, the method 300 comprises atstep 325 exchanging via the communication interface 230 synchronizationdata related to the distribute digital signage content 271 with at leastone neighbor digital signage player 200 identified at step 315. Thesynchronization data comprise the distributed digital signage contentidentifier of the distributed digital signage content 271 foridentification purposes.

Examples of synchronization data will be detailed later in thedescription. The exchange of synchronization data is performed in realtime with the digital signage server 100 and alternatively orconcurrently with the neighbor digital signage player(s) 200, todynamically adapt the local placement target of the distributed digitalsignage content 271, based on a capacity of at least one neighbordigital signage player(s) 200 to adapt its own local placement target ofthe distributed digital signage content 271 either determined directlyor through the digital signage server 100.

The method 300 comprises the step 330 of increasing or decreasing by theprocessing unit 210 the local placement target of the distributeddigital signage content 271, based on the synchronization data exchangedat step 325.

For example, if the current digital signage player 200 needs to decreaseits local placement target and one of the neighbor digital signageplayer(s) 200 is capable of increasing its own local placement target(according to the exchanged synchronization data), then the currentdigital signage player 200 effectively decreases its local placementtarget accordingly. Similarly, if the current digital signage player 200is capable of increasing its local placement target and one of theneighbor digital signage player(s) 200 needs to decrease its own localplacement target (according to the exchanged synchronization data), thenthe current digital signage player 200 effectively increases its localplacement target accordingly.

The updated local placement target of the distributed digital signagecontent 271 is stored in the memory 220 by the processing unit 210.Following step 330, step 320 is performed taking into consideration theupdated local placement target.

Referring now concurrently to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , a first example ofsynchronization data exchanged at step 325 of the method 300 will bedetailed. In this first example, step 330 of the method 300 consists inan increase or a decrease of the local placement target following theexchange of synchronization data.

FIG. 6 illustrates steps of an exchange of synchronization data betweendigital signage players 200A and 200B, and the digital signage server100. In FIG. 6 , the digital signage server 100 coordinates distributionof the global placement target amongst the plurality of digital signageplayers 200A and 200B for which it is responsible. Although only twodigital signage players 200A and 200B are depicted on FIG. 6 anddescribed herein, those skilled in the art will understand that thepresent method, digital signage server and digital signage players arenot limited to such a number, and that two digital signage players 200Aand 200B are shown for example and simplification purposes only.

At step 620, the processing unit 110 of the digital signage server 100determines an initial value of the remote placement target at thedigital signage player(s) 200A and 200B. The initial value of the remoteplacement target for each digital signage player 200A and 200B is basedon a received global placement target. The initial value of the remoteplacement target for each digital signage player 200A and 200B mayfurther be based on synchronization data exchanged by the digitalsignage server 100 with the digital signage players 200A and 200B.Furthermore, the initial value of the remote placement target for eachdigital signage player 200A and 200B may be different.

Then, at step 630, the processing unit 110 of the digital signage server100 determines that the remote placement target of the distributeddigital signage content 271 at the digital signage players 200A and 200Bshall be modified (i.e. decreased or increased), based on, for example,operating conditions of the digital signage players 200A and 200B,synchronization data exchanged with the digital signage players 200A and200B or receipt of a change of global placement target, or because ofany other criteria or situation which requires the digital signageserver 100 to modify the remote placement target.

For example, the operating conditions may consist in a failure of one ofthe digital signage players 200A and 200B amongst which the globalplacement target is distributed as remote placement targets. During thefailure, one or more scheduled displays of the distributed digitalsignage content 271 on the display 260 have not been performed. When thelocal placement target cannot be achieved due to any reasons, i.e. thefrequency or distribution over time of the digital signage content 271can no longer be changed to meet the local placement target, the localplacement target must be modified and one of the remote placementtargets must be increased accordingly.

The previous examples of determination the remote placement target shallbe modified at step 630 are for illustration purposes only. A personskilled in the art will readily understand that other types ofconditions may lead to a need for modifying the local placement targetof the distributed digital signage content 271, at one digital signageplayer or several digital signage players concurrently.

At step 640, the processing unit 110 of the digital signage server 100transmits via the communication interface 130 a request 641 formodifying a remote placement target for the distributed digital signagecontent 271. The request 641 is transmitted to one or several digitalsignage players 200A and 200B. A broadcasting protocol can be used forsimultaneously transmitting the request 641 to a plurality of digitalsignage players 200A and 2008.

The request 641 for modifying the remote placement target comprises theidentifier of the distributed digital signage content 271 along with arevised local placement target. The request 641 is received by thecommunication interface 230 of the digital signage players 200A and 200Bto which the request 641 was transmitted. The communication interface230 of each digital signage players 200A and 200B to which the requestwas transmitted transfers the received request 641 to the correspondingprocessing unit 210 for processing. In step 650, the process unit 210 ofthe digital signage player 200A and 200B which received the request 641store the revised local placement for the distributed digital signagecontent 271 in memory 220 and modifies the local placement target of thedistributed digital signage content 271 accordingly. In step 660, theprocessing unit 210 of the digital signage players 200A and 200B whichreceived the request 641 further generates a confirmation message 661sent to the digital signage server 100 confirming that the localplacement target for the distributed digital signage content 271 hasbeen modified. The confirmation message 661 includes the identifier ofthe distributed digital signage content 271, along with the revisedlocal target placement.

Referring now concurrently to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 , a second example ofsynchronization data exchanged at step 325 of the method 300 will bedetailed. In this second example, step 330 of the method 300 consists inan increase or a decrease of the local placement target following theexchange of synchronization data.

FIG. 7 illustrates steps of an exchange of synchronization data betweendigital signage players 200A and 200B, and the digital signage server100. In FIG. 7 , the digital signage server 100 coordinates distributionof the global placement target amongst the plurality of digital signageplayers 200A and 200B for which it is responsible. More particularly inthe example illustrated on FIG. 7 , the relationship between the digitalsignage server 100 and the digital signage players 200A and 200B is acollaborative effort, i.e. the digital signage server 100 makesrequests, the digital signage servers 200A and 200B reply with offers,and the digital signage server 100 confirms the acceptance or refusal ofthe offers received from the digital signage players 200A and 200B.Although only two digital signage players 200A and 200B are depicted onFIG. 7 and described herein, those skilled in the art will understandthat the present method, digital signage server and digital signageplayers are not limited to such a number, and that two digital signageplayers 200A and 200B are shown for example and simplification purposesonly.

At step 730, the processing unit 110 of the digital signage server 100determines that the remote placement target of the distributed digitalsignage content 271 at the digital signage players 200A and 200B shallbe modified (i.e. decreased or increased), based on, for example,operating conditions of the digital signage players 200A and 200B,synchronization data exchanged with the digital signage players 200A and200B or receipt of a change of global placement target, or because ofany other criteria or situation which requires the digital signageserver 100 to modify the remote placement target, as previouslydiscussed.

At step 740, the processing unit 110 of the digital signage server 100transmits via the communication interface 130 a request 741 formodifying a remote placement target for the distributed digital signagecontent 271. The request 741 is transmitted to one or several digitalsignage players 200A and 200B. A broadcasting protocol can be used forsimultaneously transmitting the request 741 to a plurality of digitalsignage players 200A and 2008.

The request 741 for modifying the remote placement target comprises theidentifier of the distributed digital signage content 271 along with arequest for providing a revised local placement target. The request 741is received in step 745 by the communication interface 230 of thedigital signage players 200A and 200B to which the request 741 wastransmitted. The communication interface 230 of each digital signageplayers 200A and 200B to which the request was transmitted transfers thereceived request 741 to the corresponding processing unit 210 forprocessing. In step 755, the processing unit 210 of the digital signageplayer 200A and 200B analyzes the received request 741 and determines anoffer of local placement target to be submitted to the digital signageserver 100. Each processing unit 210 of each digital signage player 200Aand 200B determines the offer it can submit to the digital signageserver 100 as local placement target for the distributed digital signagecontent 271. The processing unit 210 determines the offer based on itsoperating parameters, the local placement target already committed to.The digital signage players 200A and 200B transmit their offer 751 tothe digital signage server 100. The offer 751 of the digital signageplayer 200A is independently determined from the offer 751 transmittedby the digital signage player 200B.

The digital signage server 100 receives by means of the communicationinterface 130 the offers 751 from the digital signage players 200A and200B, in step 750. The digital signage server 100 then determines theremote placement target for the distributed digital signage content 271at the digital signage players 200A and 200B based on the receivedoffers 751, in step 760. The digital signage server then stores inmemory 120 the revised remote placement target for the distributeddigital signage content 271 at the digital signage players 200A and200B, and confirms the modification of the remote placement target forthe distributed digital signage content 271 with the digital signageplayers 200A and 200B in step 770, by sending a confirm message 771. Theconfirm message 771 is received by the communication interface 230 ofthe digital signage players 200A and 200B. The digital signage players200A and 200B store in memory 220 the received modified placement targetto be applied locally for the distributed digital signage content 271,and the processing unit 210 of the digital signage players 200A and 200Bproceed with modifying the local placement target for the distributeddigital signage content 271 in step 775.

Referring now concurrently to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 , a third exampleof synchronization data exchanged at step 325 of the method 300 will bedetailed. In this third example, step 330 of the method 300 consists inan increase or a decrease of the local placement target following theexchange of synchronization data.

More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates steps of an exchange ofsynchronization data between digital signage players 200A and 200Bwithout the involvement the digital signage server 100. Thus the presentmethod, digital signage players 200A and 200B and digital signage server100 support complete supervision by the digital signage server 100(shown on FIG. 6 ), collaboration between the digital signage players200A and 200B with the digital signage server 100 for the coordinationof the local placement target for the distributed digital signagecontent 271 (shown on FIG. 7 ), and/or the coordination of the localplacement target for the distributed digital signage content 271 betweenthe digital signage players 200A and 200B without the involvement of thedigital signage server 100 (shown on FIG. 8 ).

One of the digital signage players, namely digital signage player 200Bon FIG. 8 , determines in step 810 that the local placement target mustbe modified. The determination may be based on the operating conditionsof the digital signage player 200B or any other criteria as previouslydiscussed. The processing unit 210 of the digital signage player 200Bgenerates a request for modifying a remote placement target of the otherdigital signage player 200A for the distributed digital signage content271. The processing unit 210 of the digital signage player 200Btransmits through the communication interface 230 a request 821 in step820, which contains the identification of the digital signage content271, and the request for the modification of the corresponding localplacement target at the digital signage player 200A.

The request 821 is received by the communication interface 230 of thedigital signage player 200A in step 825. The communication interface 230of the digital signage player 200A forwards the received request 821 tothe corresponding processing unit 210. The processing unit 210 of thedigital signage player 200A processes the received request 821, anddetermines an offer for modifying the local placement target for thedistributed digital signage content 271 at the digital signage player200A at step 825. The determination of the offer is performed based onoperating conditions of the digital signage player 200A, the currentlocal placement targets committed to, etc. The processing unit 210 ofthe digital signage player 200A transmits an offer 831 to the digitalsignage player 200B. The offer 831 includes the identification of thedistributed digital signage content 271 and the proposed modification tothe local placement target for the distributed digital signage content271 at the digital signage player 200A.

The communication interface 230 of the digital signage player 200Breceives the offer 831 in step 830. The offer 831 received by thecommunication interface 230 of the digital signage player 200B istransferred to the processing unit 210 of the digital signage player200B.

Although only two digital signage players 200A and 200B are depicted onFIG. 7 and described herein, those skilled in the art will understandthat the present method, digital signage server and digital signageplayers are not limited to such a number, and that two digital signageplayers 200A and 200B are shown for example and simplification purposesonly.

At step 840, the processing unit 210 of the digital signage player 200Bconfirms whether the local placement target for the distributed digitalsignage content 271 at the digital signage player 200B can be modifiedbased on the received offer 831. If the processing unit 210 of thedigital signage player 200B determines that the local placement targetfor the distributed digital signage content 271 can be modified based onthe received offer 831, the method pursues with step 850. In step 850,the digital signage player 200B stores in memory 220 the modified localplacement target for the distributed digital signage content 271, andconfirms the modification of the local placement target for thedistributed digital signage content 271 with the digital signage player200A by sending a confirm message 851. The confirm message 851 isreceived by the communication interface 230 of the digital signageplayer 200A. The digital signage player 200A stores in memory 220 thereceived modified placement target to be applied locally for thedistributed digital signage content 271, and the processing unit 210 ofthe digital signage player 200A proceed with modifying the localplacement target for the distributed digital signage content 271 in step855.

FIG. 8 depicts coordination of the placement target for distributeddigital signage content 271 between two digital signage players 200A and200B. However, the present method, digital signage player and digitalsignage server are not limited to such a number. As each digital signageplayer has its own address, it is possible for the digital signageplayers to directly communicate with one each other, so as to negotiatelocal placement targets of the distributed digital signage content 271based on the local operating conditions of each digital signage player.

Although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way ofnon-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments maybe modified at will within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit and nature of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing distributed digital signagecontent, the method comprising storing in a memory of a digital signageplayer: a distributed digital signage content, a distributed digitalsignage content identifier for identifying the distributed digitalsignal content, and a local placement target for the distributed digitalsignage content; displaying by a processing unit of the digital signageplayer the distributed digital signage content on a display of thedigital signage player in accordance with the local placement target;receiving by the processing unit of the digital signage player via acommunication interface of the digital signage player a request from aneighbor digital signage player for decreasing the local placementtarget for the distributed digital signage content based on operatingconditions of the neighbor digital signage player, the requestcomprising the distributed digital signage content identifier;determining by the processing unit of the digital signage player thatthe local placement target can be decreased by a local decrease valuebased on operating conditions of the digital signage player;transmitting by the processing unit of the digital signage player viathe communication interface of the digital signage player a response tothe request to the neighbor digital signage player, the response to therequest comprising the local decrease value of the local placementtarget; receiving by the processing unit of the digital signage playervia the communication interface of the digital signage player aconfirmation from the neighbor digital signage player, the confirmationcomprising a neighbor increase value of a neighbor placement target forthe distributed digital signage content at the neighbor digital signageplayer; and decreasing by the processing unit of the digital signageplayer the local placement target by the neighbor increase value.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the local placement target comprises afrequency of display of the distributed digital signage content.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving by the processing unitof the digital signage player via the communication interface thedistributed digital signage content, the distributed digital signagecontent identifier, and an initial value for the local placement targetfrom a digital signage server; and storing by the processing unit of thedigital signage player the received distributed digital signage content,the received distributed digital signage content identifier, and thereceived initial value for the local placement target in the memory. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving by a digitalsignage server the distributed digital signage content and a globalplacement target for the distributed digital signage content;determining by a processing unit of the digital signage server thedistributed digital signage content identifier, and an initial value ofthe local placement target based at least on the received globalplacement target; transmitting to the digital signage player by theprocessing unit of the digital signage server the distributed digitalsignage content, the determined distributed digital signage contentidentifier and the determined initial value for the local placementtarget; and storing by the processing unit of the digital signage playerthe received distributed digital signage content, the receiveddistributed digital signage content identifier and the received initialvalue for the local placement target in the memory of the digitalsignage player.
 5. A non-transitory computer program product comprisinginstructions deliverable via an electronically-readable media such asstorage media and communication links, the instructions when executed bya processing unit of a digital signage player providing for managingdistributed digital signage content by: storing in a memory of thedigital signage player: a distributed digital signage content, adistributed digital signage content identifier for identifying thedistributed digital signal content, and a local placement target for thedistributed digital signage content; displaying by the processing unitof the digital signage player the distributed digital signage content ona display of the digital signage player in accordance with the localplacement target; receiving by the processing unit of the digitalsignage player via a communication interface of the digital signageplayer a request from a neighbor digital signage player for decreasingthe local placement target for the distributed digital signage contentbased on operating conditions of the neighbor digital signage player,the request comprising the distributed digital signage contentidentifier; determining by the processing unit of the digital signageplayer that the local placement target can be decreased by a localdecrease value based on operating conditions of the digital signageplayer; transmitting by the processing unit of the digital signageplayer via the communication interface of the digital signage player aresponse to the request to the neighbor digital signage player, theresponse to the request comprising the local decrease value of the localplacement target; receiving by the processing unit of the digitalsignage player via the communication interface of the digital signageplayer a confirmation from the neighbor digital signage player, theconfirmation comprising a neighbor increase value of a neighborplacement target for the distributed digital signage content at theneighbor digital signage player; and decreasing by the processing unitof the digital signage player the local placement target by the neighborincrease value.
 6. The computer program product of claim 5, wherein thelocal placement target comprises a frequency of display of thedistributed digital signage content.
 7. The computer program product ofclaim 5, wherein the instructions when executed by the processing unitof the digital signage player further effect: receiving by theprocessing unit of the digital signage player via the communicationinterface the distributed digital signage content, the distributeddigital signage content identifier, and an initial value for the localplacement target from a digital signage server; and storing by theprocessing unit of the digital signage player the received distributeddigital signage content, the received distributed digital signagecontent identifier, and the received initial value for the localplacement target in the memory.
 8. A digital signage player adapted formanaging distributed digital signage content, comprising: acommunication interface; memory for storing: a distributed digitalsignage content, a distributed digital signage content identifier foridentifying the distributed digital signal content, and a localplacement target for the distributed digital signage content; a displayfor displaying the distributed digital signage content; and a processingunit for: displaying the distributed digital signage content on thedisplay in accordance with the local placement target; receiving via thecommunication interface a request from a neighbor digital signage playerfor decreasing the local placement target for the distributed digitalsignage content based on operating conditions of the neighbor digitalsignage player, the request comprising the distributed digital signagecontent identifier; determining that the local placement target can bedecrease by a local decrease value based on operating conditions of thedigital signage player; transmitting via the communication interface aresponse to the request to the neighbor digital signage player, theresponse to the request comprising the local decrease value of the localplacement target; receiving via the communication interface aconfirmation from the neighbor digital signage player, the confirmationcomprising a neighbor increase value of a neighbor placement target forthe distributed digital signage content at the neighbor digital signageplayer; and decreasing the local placement target by the neighborincrease value.
 9. The digital signage player of claim 8, wherein thelocal placement target comprises a frequency of display of thedistributed digital signage content.
 10. The digital signage player ofclaim 8, wherein the processing unit: receives the distributed digitalsignage content, the distributed digital signage content identifier, andan initial value for the local placement target from a digital signageserver via the communication interface, and stores the receiveddistributed digital signage content, the received distributed digitalsignage content identifier, and the received initial value for the localplacement target in the memory.